Japan Secondary Al Production Drops by 7% in 2011

Japanese secondary aluminium and aluminium alloy production decreased by 7% to 759,491 tonnes in 2011 from 2010, according to Japan Aluminium Refiners Association. The shipment decreased by 7.1% to 765,771 tonnes. The production and shipment decreased for the first time in 2 years when major users reduced the operation rate due to impact of the major earthquake and Thai flood.

The shipment decreased for all applications excluding for steel additive in 2011 from 2010. The shipment for steel additive decreased to 75% of a year earlier level in April due to aftermath of the quake but the shipment represented increase for 5 months in a row since August.

The shipment for die casting represented year-on-year decrease for 4 months in a row since April due to output reduction by automobile makers after the quake. The shipment increased in August and the demand was steady through year end. However, the increase was slower due to the impact of Thai flood.

The shipment decreased by 7% for casting in 2011 from 2010 due to slow demand for automobile. The shipment represented year-on-year increase only for January-February and September-October when casting products export was high in 2010.